Thursday, July 27, 2017

La Caisse's Big Stake in Wind Power?

Boralex Inc. ("Boralex" or the "Company") (TSX: BLX) announced today that Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec ("la Caisse") has acquired all of the Class A common shares of Boralex held by Cascades Inc. representing 17.3% of the outstanding shares for the amount of $287.5 million.

As part of the transaction, the Company and la Caisse have agreed to explore partnership opportunities with respect to investing in future projects developed by Boralex that are in line with its growth strategy.

"We wish to thank Cascades for its support since Boralex was founded in 1995. Bernard Lemaire's vision has allowed Boralex to become a leader in the Canadian renewable energy industry and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power. Boralex is pleased to welcome la Caisse as a new major shareholder in a transaction that will benefit the company as well as its shareholders," said Alain Rhéaume, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Boralex.

"To have la Caisse come in as principal shareholder reflects the trust it puts in the business model and know-how of Boralex. We intend to work with la Caisse to develop growth opportunities through its financial capabilities, expertise and international network," said Patrick Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boralex.

"This stake in Boralex is an opportunity for us to invest in both a promising sector and high-quality assets, many of which are in Québec. In addition to sharing our long-term vision, Boralex's ability to innovate and strong operating capacity ensure the reliability of its installations and contribute to its development. It has played an important role in the growth of this Québec-based company, both here and in global markets," added Macky Tall, Executive Vice-President, Infrastructure, at la Caisse. The transaction completed today strengthens la Caisse's position as one of the largest private investors in North America's wind power sector.

La Caisse will appoint two independent directors to Boralex's Board of Directors and will have pre-emptive rights with respect to future issuances of shares, subject to customary exceptions.

About Boralex

Boralex develops, builds and operates renewable energy power facilities in Canada, France and the United States. A leader in the Canadian market and France's largest independent producer of onshore wind power, the Corporation is recognized for its solid experience in optimizing its asset base in four power generation types — wind, hydroelectric, thermal and solar. Boralex ensures sustained growth by leveraging the expertise and diversification developed over the past 25 years. Boralex's shares and convertible debentures are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols BLX and BLX.DB.A, respectively. More information is available at www.boralex.com or www.sedar.com.

About Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2016, it held $270.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter @LaCDPQ or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and are also cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown material risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Boralex undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities law.

The above is basically the press release la Caisse put out here. At this writing, shares of Boralex (BLX.TO) are up close to 5%, near their 52-week high (click on image):

This is a great deal for all parties. Boralex gets a solid partner which will help the company grow and la Caisse not only cements its position as one of the largest private investors in North America's wind power sector, but it also fulfills part of its dual mandate which includes promoting Quebec-based businesses.

There was a time when I was skeptical of la Caisse's big investments in wind farms, but I was wrong. These investments are profitable and they are great long-term investments which is why they're part of the infrastructure portfolio.

Last month, I discussed how PSP is pushing further into renewables, acquiring a 10% stake in US-based Pattern Energy Group as part of a series of transactions aimed at supporting a major expansion of the renewable energy company.

Renewables are the future of energy and whatever skeptics think (and I was one of them), these companies are profitable and investing in them is investing in a long-term renewable energy future.

Below, the 25 years of Boralex which traces the company's origins and milestones till 2015. Quite impressive and to think of the potential in the next 25 years with a solid partner like la Caisse by its side.

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